Agenda item

Interim Director of Community and Children’s Services to be heard. Presentation by Greater London Authority.

The Sub Committee received a presentation from Greater London Authority on Streetlink.

The Sub Committee was informed that Streetlink was a service people could use to alert their local authority or its outreach team to someone they had seen sleeping rough with the purpose of connecting them to support to hopefully help them off the streets.

Members heard that the service was 10 years old and, in this time, there had been approximately 500,000 alerts, with over 300,000 of these in London. The proportion of those self-referring had increased over this time and now accounted for approximately one quarter of referrals in London. The majority of self-referrals were via the phone line, whereas the public mainly used digital services and were encouraged to do so.

The Sub Committee was informed that Streetlink London was a separate service set up in 2020 as a result of more people self-referring to Streetlink. It worked with approximately 200 people per quarter and aimed to directly prevent or resolve their rough sleeping, which it did in about two-thirds of cases.

Members were advised that the Government was procuring a new contract for the national Streetlink service under a revised service model, and this was due to commence in October 2023. It would be a digital service only. The GLA had been consulting on whether a service could be established to replace any functionality in London.

Members raised their concerns over the removal of the option of referring by phone which was usually the only option for rough sleepers and sometimes for office night security workers who made referrals after seeing people rough sleeping on CCTV as well as difficulties in using the app and frustrations in users not receiving updates on their referrals. A Member also questioned why it was not possible to refer people seen rough sleeping during the day and was advised that it was to ensure that people were rough sleeping and not just begging during the day. It was also noted that Streetlink was often the first introduction to support services for rough sleepers so it was important it worked well and rough sleepers felt they were assisted.

In response to a question, Members were informed that a new interface was expected to be launched in September/October with improvements including better usability. 

Members requested a written response to their feedback and requested that a follow-up session with the new provider be arranged. 

RESOLVED –

            1)         That the presentation be noted.

            2)         That a follow-up session be arranged with the new provider.

            3)         Following further questions, additional data was provided to Members.